Initially, I find the world of wines a bit haughty yet the allure of wines and its aroma could be irresistable. Perhaps because wine and win...July 07, 2009

Initially, I find the world of wines a bit haughty yet the allure of wines and its aroma could be irresistable. Perhaps because wine and wine drinking is steeped in tradition. This is evident in the variety of service and glassware used to enjoy wine.

Wines, of course, can be enjoyed in any glass but it is often served in glasses with tall stems and egg-shaped bowls. Wine connoisseurs believe that if you use - stemware, it would enhance the wine's favorable characteristics.

Truthfully, wine served in a stemware can be easily swirled without spilling and this releases the compounds, therefore letting you enjoy its unique aroma. The shape of the "stemware bowl" concentrates the voltile compounds at the mouth of the glass, so both the aroma and the flavor can be experienced.

There are several types of wine glasses used in wine service and here's the basics..

White wine glass - typically smaller that red wine glasses. White wines are usually served chilled and if served in smaller glasses, the wine stays chilled for longer periods.

Bordeaux wine glass - used to serve full-bodied wines like cabernet sauvignon.The large size hollow enhances the aroma while the shape minimizes the bitterness of the chemical compounds called tannins present deep red wines.

Burgundy Wine Glass - also used to serve rich, full-bodied wines like the carbernet sauvignon and zinfandel. Its large bowl enhances the complex aroma of the wine.

Champagne Flute - used to serve sparkling wines. It's tall, flute-shape and elongate shape best displays the bubbles as they rise to the surface. Connoisseurs also believe that the champagne flute's narrow mouth preserves the sparkling wine's crisp quality by slowing the release of bubbles.

Snifters - Brandy, cognac and other distilled liquors are traditionally served in balloon-shaped snifter glasses. It's shape and the short stem makes it easy to cup in the hands. Distilled liquors are best enjoyed warm and holding the glasses with both palms warms the liquid inside.